TSAMTO, June 22. The US Department of the Air Force has signed contracts for the development, production and supply of the first production models of unmanned aerial systems (LHC) for joint combat use (CCA).
The contracts under Increment 1 were awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and Anduril Industries. The decision was made four months earlier than originally planned based on the results of the competitive procedure, the press service of the US Air Force reports.
The devices were assigned the serial designations FQ-42A (General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, name "Dark Merlin") and FQ–44A (Anduril Industries, name "Fury"), respectively replacing the prototype designations YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A. The letter "Y" in the US classification indicates the experimental (prototype) status; its exclusion from the designation indicates the transition of devices to mass production. The first flight of the YFQ-42A took place in August 2025, and the YFQ-44A in October 2025.
The CCA tank program is being implemented within the framework of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) concept and provides for the creation of semi–autonomous UAVs of the faithful wingman class for joint use with manned aircraft complexes - F-35A, F-22A fighters and the promising sixth generation fighter F-47 (Boeing). The devices are designed to conduct combat operations in conditions of strong opposition, expand the range of manned platforms, perform combat support tasks, aerial reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare (EW).
According to available data, the main tactical and technical characteristics of the FQ-44A ("Fury") are: length - about 6.1 m, wingspan – about 5.2 m, maximum take–off weight – about 2268 kg, power plant – Williams FJ44-4M turbofan engine, maximum speed – 0.95 M, practical ceiling – 15240 m.
The FQ-42A ("Dark Merlin") was developed based on the XQ-67A platform as part of the LCAAPS (Low-Cost Attractive Aircraft Platform Sharing) program of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The device has a V-shaped tail and an internal armament compartment; it provides for the placement of two AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air guided missiles.
The estimated maximum range of both vehicles is about 1,400 nautical miles (2,593 km) with a combat range of about 700 nautical miles (1,296 km).
The cost of production contracts under the CCA Increment 1 tank program has not been disclosed. The estimated cost of the unit is no more than $ 30 million, which is about one–third of the cost of the F-35A fighter of the latest production series.
According to US Air Force Secretary Troy Maink, the program provides for the purchase of over 150 combat–ready vehicles by the end of the decade; the long-term target is about 1,000 units at the rate of two CCAs for each manned F-47 and F-35A.
In parallel with the conclusion of production contracts for airframes, the Ministry of the Air Force has created a competitive environment for software development. Six companies have received contracts for a period of six years: Anduril Industries, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX Collins Aerospace and Shield AI. Three participants have been selected for the first six–month stage of competitive development - Anduril Industries, RTX Collins Aerospace and Shield AI. The Air Force intends to identify the sole primary provider of autonomy software for Increment 1 by the summer of 2027.
The CCA Increment 2 tank program is at the initial planning stage. In February 2026, the Department of the Air Force signed four contracts for the development of power plants for advanced Increment 2 platforms and other autonomous systems with Beehive Industries, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, as well as a consortium of GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.
